Abstract

BETANCOURT BETANCOURT, José Antonio  and  RAMIS ANDALIA, Rina M. Notes on the approach to complexity and its application in the field of healthcare. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2010, vol.36, n.2, pp. 160-165. ISSN 1561-3127.

Like many other disciplines, the approach of the traditional methodological scheme of medicine has been based on Descartes and Newton´s system, therefore medicine keeps in many occasions the traditional cause-effect pattern based on linear equation models where everything operates in a predictable way like a piece of machinery. The present paper substantiated how the complex system approach encourages emerging, holistic, multidisciplinary way of acting that incorporates techniques and knowledge from several fields. The article stresses how this approach provides the suitable tools to implement new required models. Some properties of the complex systems were described in order to disseminate this type of approach in the healthcare sector. To write this article, a literature review was made, which comprised 50 sources and several interviews to specialists. The complexity theory provides the physician with great capacities of generating new comprehensive solutions through the historical and social relationships existing in each place, giving rise to broader knowledge, greater capacity for debate, discussion, adaptation to change and increased capabilities to develop new targets and strategies.

Keywords : Complex health systems; health and complexity.

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